<p>Im a little early with this but I want to start figuring out what I will need for next year. I personally want a Mac but my parents seem to think that they heard that NU sites dont work well on Mac's. What does Northwestern typically recommend and what are all of you using/planning on getting?</p>
<p>Northwestern has a discount with both Mac and Dell. From preliminary configurations, Mac's get you more bang for your buck at the high end, but PC's the way to go if you're on a budget. The discount IS technically much bigger with Dell, but they seem to be overcharging for the hardware in the first place to the extent that it doesn't make up for it.</p>
<p>when i went to campus and sat for a while in the norris university center lounge/food court, everyone seemed to have a Mac. they must work well if so many have them.</p>
<p>There is no difference as far as NU goes, unless you're RTVF which means you should probably have a mac. Plenty of mac users are here and they can navigate NU's websites just fine, including CAESAR- so that shouldn't impact your decision. If you're not RTVF, then you should know if you're a PC or mac person, and decide based on what is right for you.</p>
<p>Are tablets good/commonly used? That program where you can write notes on the tablet and simultaneously record the lecture sounds pretty cool (I think it's called OneNote)</p>
<p>I would get an IBM (best machines out there). </p>
<p>If your buying a computer, you might as well buy it from the company that manufactures most of the mainframe systems for major corporations. If IBM suits big corporations, it can suit you!</p>
<p>
[quote]
I would get an IBM (best machines out there). </p>
<p>If your buying a computer, you might as well buy it from the company that manufactures most of the mainframe systems for major corporations. If IBM suits big corporations, it can suit you!
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</p>
<p>It's no longer IBM (Lenovo pretty much has stopped using IBM in their advertising).</p>
<p>Many techheads seem to hate Dell. From what I have heard, the mid-higher end Toshibas and HPs are generally well-regarded (stay away from the lower-end models since they are outsourced from different manufacturers and the quality isn't nearly as good).</p>
<p>Aa a techhead: Dell builds a piece of crap, but you can get good deals if the timing is right. Personally I think Lenovo makes the best product on the market, but if you can manage switching to Mac, do so.</p>
<p>how do we take advantage of this discount?</p>
<p>I don't understand why people think it's hard to switch to Mac. If anything, it's easier to switch to Mac from PC than to PC from Mac -- although I don't know why anyone would ever go from Mac to PC.</p>
<p>My friends are split about 50-50 PC-Mac... 5 of my PC friends have gotten horrible viruses while none of the Mac users. That being said, Macs aren't a necessity -- they just makes your life easier, IMO.</p>
<p>doesn't vista give better virus protection than the old PCs? i heard vista is on par with mac.</p>
<p>Vista is an annoying resource hog that is full of bugs. I wouldn't even consider it if it weren't forced down your throat to get a performance computer.</p>
<p>yup! dells are all pieces craps. lenovo, hp and toshiba are much better.</p>
<p>btw, how are brands like gateway and acer? they offer good systems at low cost</p>
<p>MY suggestion would be go with Lenovo if you're building a very low end System, and Mac for a very high end one (unless you for some reason need INSANE power, in which case you may as well look at the Dell XPS line).</p>
<p>Im looking for a mid range system. I want something dependable that will last me the next 4 years without too many problems, but I also don't need gaming power nor am I going to be using this for engineering or anything like that (Im an Econ major). Right now I think im leaning towards the black macbook. Which PC's would recommand that are comparable to that machine in terms of performance at that cost (~$1300), or is the macbook my best bet?</p>
<p>bumppppppp</p>
<p>Lenovo 100 percent, that is what every student at Kellogg has in addition to the professors that work there.</p>
<p>I have a friend whose son is going to Purdue. She told me that if they buy their laptop through Purdue's program (whatever it is) and the computer breaks down, they will fix it and supply a loaner in the interim. </p>
<p>Does NU have a program like that? If not, what does a kid do if his/her computer is on the fritz?</p>
<p>Thanks.</p>
<p>What about a "Dell Latitude?" Small, lightweight. ???</p>
<p>And can anyone answer the question from butterfly re: what happens if your computer goes on the blink?</p>
<p>What about an Apple?</p>